Nightclub owners, entertainers and other stakeholders in Ondo State have protested in Akure over repeated raids by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), alleging that the operations are disrupting legitimate businesses and frightening customers.
The protest, held on Thursday, reportedly disrupted traffic around the First Bank area and other parts of Akure as demonstrators blocked roads and chanted solidarity songs.
The protesters expressed concern over alleged harassment of customers and reports of shootings during some of the raids, insisting that not everyone who visits nightclubs is involved in internet fraud.
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One of the demonstrators, identified as Ayo, said the repeated operations were discouraging customers from patronising entertainment centres and threatening the survival of nightclub businesses.
Another protester called on the Ondo State Government and the EFCC to intervene, urging authorities to balance the fight against financial crimes with the protection of legitimate businesses.
The protesters appealed for measures that would allow law enforcement agencies to carry out their duties without unnecessarily disrupting the state’s entertainment industry.
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